There’s something to be said for the popular German saying “Es gibt kein schlechtes Wetter, nur schlechte Kleidung” (There is no bad weather, just bad clothing). That’s especially true at the pool. Germans are accustomed to being prepared and bring their swimwear, towels and sun protection to every outing – even when it’s just a quick splash in the municipal pool.
In the capital, for example, there are three main outdoor pools (Freibad), all of which are humming with swimmers and swimmers’ clubs during the warmer months. A visit to one of these pools is a chance for a healthy workout and a chance to socialise with friends in the water. But it’s also a time to relax, soak up the sun and have fun. Poolleiter
Changing facilities are usually equipped with lockers that work on a coin-return system. You can use a single euro to secure your belongings and lock them away for the day. Many people bring a towel and a hat, as well as a change of clothes. Then there are the flip flops – a necessity for any pool trip. For most Germans, there is no alternative to the flip flop when it comes to walking around the pool.
Aside from the main pool complexes, there are countless smaller swimming holes scattered throughout the country, known as “Stormpools” or “Freibade”. The most unusual is probably the 12-metre-long Moscow Pool in Berlin, built from two overseas containers welded together and located on the site of the former Zollverein Coking Plant.
In cities and towns, the public pools are packed on hot summer days but in many rural areas there is more room for leisurely swims or a bit of aqua jogging. In fact, more and more Germans are willing to spend money renovating their garden pools to make them more usable all year round, as a place for kids’ splashing about or a spot for some lap swimming.
The violent clashes at many of the Berlin pools are a reminder that Germany is not exactly a chilled place right now. Some Germans are calling for more security measures at pools, including video surveillance and guards. The conservative cDU party’s interior minister wants to see miscreants brought before the police faster, while the far-right AfD accuses immigrants of starting the fights. Some local pool operators deploy volunteer mediators from immigrant backgrounds to help people get to know each other. At the Columbiadamm Street pool in Neukolln, Kurzhals helps run a group called “Bleib Cool am Pool” (Stay cool at the pool), which patrols the area and teaches refugees about German pool culture. It’s a small step, but maybe it will lead to better understanding between Germans and their new neighbours. Until then, expect more heated debates and sensationalist media coverage.
Weigh Slings 